Companies work with Government on getting disadvantaged people back into work

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Seven major employers signed up to a Local Employment Partnership (LEP) this week, to help get long term benefit claimants back into work, announced Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

The companies ““ Aramark Ltd, Randstad Inhouse Services, Reliance Security Services Ltd, Rullion All Trades, Skanska Group Ltd, Spirit Group and Starwood Hotel and Resort Worldwide Inc ““ join 266 organisations that have already committed to LEPs, working with Jobcentre Plus to support some of the hardest to help off benefits and into work.

LEPs are a deal between government and employers, a step change in approach, where the Government gets disadvantaged people ready for work, through training and skills programmes, and employers with vacancies give them a fair shot at the job. Each LEP agreement is tailored to the individual needs of the employer.

Speaking at the signing Peter Hain said: “In the last decade we have helped cut the number of people claiming Jobseekers” Allowance in half. Since its establishment in 2001, Jobcentre Plus has built up a genuinely world class track record of getting people off benefits and into work. But we want to go further and help those people who in the past have been left behind.

“Today’s signing shows the commitment of another seven companies to work with us in a Local Employment Partnership, supporting people back into work where they can work for themselves and their families.

“All across the country employers big and small are working in partnership with the government, showing the faith they have in British workers” ability to get the job done and fill some of the 667,000 vacancies available across the UK.”

Among the employers who have already signed up to an LEP is Uniqlo.

Speaking about the partnership, Nick Bartlett, Uniqlo HR Manager said:”The key to recruiting a large volume of experienced, enthusiastic and motivated workforce was working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. Our Account Management relationship was built on communication, professionalism and experience which ensured that the process exceeded all expectations.”